Who we are
Dr Liefooghe & Operation Centaur
Dr Liefooghe is a Chartered Psychologist, licensed by both the British Psychological
Society and the Health Care Professions Council, and a Psychotherapist registered with
the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. For nearly two decades, he
has published widely on issues such as trauma, bullying and relational approaches
to human functioning. He is also a Reader at Birkbeck, University of London, and
a life-long horseman.
Real Horse Power
making the difference
www.operationcentaur.com
“Equine-assisted learning strips away some of the layers of conventional
learning interventions. It allows a relationship between the horses and
humans to become the focus of the sessions. They can choose to connect or
not to connect. We can then step back and observe this relationship unfold”.
Dr Andreas Liefooghe
Royal Parks Foundation
The Royal Parks Foundation is the charity for London’s eight amazing Royal Parks.
Using the wealth of history, science and nature found in the green spaces of London,
we excite, motivate and help park lovers of all ages to escape the City and understand
topics from a different perspective. The team at the Isis Education Centre in Hyde Park
reaches 10,000 people a year through LOtC Quality Badge certified, wide ranging
and accessible outdoor education programmes linked to the National Curriculum.
www.SupportTheRoyalParks.org
For more information or to book a class please get in touch:
[email protected]
+44 (0) 20 7036 8056
The Royal Parks Foundation is a registered charity, 1097545
We have all learned about preventing bullying – but what if your
teacher weighs more than a ton? And happens to be a horse?
Equine Assisted Learning
Outcomes
How can horses help deliver
anti-bullying skills?
Students will gain a greater awareness
of how their own behaviour affects
others, and have an opportunity to work
collaboratively. They will learn about
conflicting demands, about difference,
and about tolerance.
We demonstrate how social
relationships work in a herd of horses.
Horses are powerful animals, and
bullying tactics don’t work with them.
You have to learn about cooperation
and negotiation instead.
Working with our horses is a great way
to experience difference. Observing the
herd teaches us about different roles all
of us play in a group.
This November National Anti-Bullying Month calls
for dealing with bullying creatively.
It also teaches us that behaviours are
not fixed and can change. We have
designed exercises to address all of
the above and more, whilst strictly
observing recognised ethical guidelines.
Which groups would benefit?
A stable class of up to 30 pupils where
perhaps some challenging behaviours
have taken place, and students can
benefit from some external guidance.
Please don’t select disruptive students in
isolation as the approach is looking at
group dynamics, not individuals.
The Royal Parks Foundation has teamed up with Operation Centaur to
provide ‘Equine Assisted Learning’ to select groups of children to help
tackle difficult behaviour – with a focus on anti-bullying interventions.
This is a really special opportunity to make a difference.
What does it involve?
We have two different programmes on offer this November in Hyde Park.
Tackling bullying
Bullying steals self-confidence and belief, and should never be tolerated. Sadly,
it will occur from time to time and it won’t be limited to a school environment.
Even though we’d like to, we cannot make bullying disappear, but what we
can do is to bully-proof everyone as much as possible. Our approach, therefore,
is to equip a whole group with the necessary skills to contain and challenge
bullying behaviours – whether you are bully, target or bystander.
MONTH LONG PROGRAMME
TASTER SESSION
The group will attend three sessions
of 90 minutes over three consecutive
Thursday afternoons: 6, 13, 20
November. The team will also come
and visit the class at school before
and after the equine-assisted sessions,
to prepare and debrief.
A one-off session designed to
raise awareness of anti-bullying
issues. The sessions take place
on the following afternoons
during Anti-Bullying Week:
17, 18, 19 November.
All sessions take place at the Manège on South Carriage Drive in Hyde Park
and must be booked in advance. They are FREE to attend, thanks to the generous
support of the Royal Parks Foundation.